AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas company is thinking modular and hybrid for the next generation of terminal tractors.
Emisstar received a $722,000 grant from the state of Texas to develop a pluggable hybrid electric terminal tractor, or PHETT.
Ohio company involved
Emisstar wrote the successful grant proposal for their client, Capacity of Texas. The competitive grant has been awarded to Capacity of Texas, in partnership with Alternative Motive Power Systems of Alexandria, Ohio, and Emisstar.
The project involves development of a modular hybrid electric terminal tractor that will improve fuel economy 60 to 70 percent while reducing emissions over 90 percent, developers claim.
Terminal tractors operate at ports, rail yards and other areas where air quality is often a concern.
Capacity of Texas will develop the PHETT’s propulsion system with AMPS, whose proprietary control and power management systems make them an industry leader in green motive power.
The PHETT will be capable of operating in either a generator set “charge-sustaining” hybrid mode or in a “zero-emissions” mode using grid power.
